Our annual House Music Competition is a great example of Reading School at its best! This year's competition was a fantastic afternoon full of flamboyance, creativity and fun held at the Hexagon Theatre.

Students had the opportunity to showcase a range of styles and talents as they performed covers of this year’s featured artist, Elton John, as well as solo and ensemble music from across the ages right up to 80’s pop!

The House Music crown is always hotly contested, and this year was no exception. Whilst every house produced some superb performances, it was East who stole the show winning all but one category; Kyle R (9W) snatched the prize for Junior Solo for West. 

Please see below the list of winners (in order):

1^st place: East House

2^nd place: West House

3^rd Place: County House

4^th House: School House

5^th Place: Laud House

Reading School boasts an impressive array of musical opportunities throughout the year, thanks to the dedication of its Director of Music, Mr James Tunstill. It is undeniable that every pupil involved this year really gave it their all; none more so than the Music Prefects who dedicated many hours of leadership and coordination to the show.

House Music creates a unique bonding effect during the countless hours of rehearsals between both junior and senior pupils, as well as boarders with day pupils. Therefore, the whole event is a celebration of music, inclusiveness and community.

Reading School is delighted with its growing number of Old Redingensians who have gone on to excel as musicians and performers:

• Alex Caballero is studying Music at the University of Oxford,

• Harry Davidson also who studied Music at Oxford, at St Catherine’s College.  

• Noam Rosenbaum (OR 2009-2016) (a member of St John’s College at the University of Oxford) was awarded the Mapleton-Bree Prize earlier this year for his creative work.

• Following in his footsteps, first-year student Ewan Millar, again at the University of Oxford, recently received choral and instrumental scholarships as well as reaching the final of Oxford’s concerto competition.

• In addition, Joshua Grimmett (OR 2005-2012) has recently been nominated for a Grammy Award as a songwriter.

This year, for the first time, we featured Drama at the competition under the guiding hand of our new Head of Drama, Mr Ben Sandiford.  Performances included:

• Mitansh N and Jamie R (8E) - performing an extract from Another Country

• Matthew C (11S) – performing the monologue from the start of The 39 Steps

• Neil P (11W), Archie T (11C) and Adam P (11S) – performing the Crofters Cottage from The 39 Steps

• Ollie B (11S), Toby C (11C) and Niran A (11E) – performing the Ballet of the Hats from 39 Steps

Here are some comments from students involved in this year’s amazing event:

“House Music was a fantastic event; the atmosphere and high quality of music presented by all the boys was brilliant and it was amazing being a key part of this. All the hard work put in by all the houses definitely showed on the night and it'll be one I remember for a while! Many thanks to everyone who took part and making it so unforgettable. Hopefully the standard is the same, if not better in years to come!”- Thomas C (13ANC)

“This year's event was an exceptional evening of ecstatic enthusiasm for East House. Organising it was a challenging, but nonetheless rewarding task. First place has been a brilliant way to finish my last house music so a massive ‘well done’ to East and all other houses - what a night!”- Muhammed E-B (13MJK)

“I am immensely proud of all the boys for their performances on the night under such pressure. Thank you to the organisers for such a smoothly run day and to the other houses for putting up such strong competition. 2nd place is something we are very proud of and will look to build on in future years. As for our music itself, it will be left in the capable hands of our awesome Y12s, who I am sure will prove to be formidable next year. West house will always remain the best house and I wish them all the luck in the world for the future!”- John W (13AC)

 “It was great to have such high participation from all houses across all years, and the range of pieces were exciting and varied.”- Alex S (13TA)

“School house strives to achieve the very best. The hard work and dedication of all the best ensured School's biggest HMC yet. I could not be any prouder of the boys. The leadership of the senior boys ensured an excellent performance, showcasing the best of the musicians. If the commitment of the boys continues throughout the year and beyond, we will be very successful. I have the knowledge to hold my head up high as the boys far exceeded my expectations. It might not have been our year for House music, but I know it is in the safe hands of the experienced Y12s to the budding Y7s. I wish School House the very best of luck in the ensuing events.”- Ajai G (13AVS)

“Even though we didn't secure the win. I am immensely proud of what we achieved. The amount of dedication from each and every boy was something to behold. Take this as a warning that we're only getting stronger!”- Biraj R(13FEH)

“I must admit, tensions were running high in the run-up to the competition - I certainly know West House were anxious for the win. By the time we got to the night, I could not do anything but marvel at how well-prepared the other houses' performances were, and the experience was genuinely one of the most special things I have ever done. Words cannot express how proud I am of all the students who took part across all five houses. However, my deepest gratitude is for everyone who performed with me in West House, who stuck with me through every rehearsal and frantic sets of email message. Because of them, I wouldn't want to change a detail about the night of the competition for anything. Congratulations to East House for the win - here's to another good competition next year!”- Tianyin H (13HYA)

Thank you to Mr James Tunstill (Director of Music), Mr James Newman (Teacher of Music), the Heads of House and Boarding Housemasters for their support, the Society Office, and the Hexagon Team.  

A special thanks to adjudicators Caroline Clipsham (Concert Pianist), Mark Elvin (Musician, Composer, Teacher and Author) and Matthew Greaves   (Multi-Instrumentalist, Songwriter, Producer and West End Musical Director) for taking part in this event.

Photo credit goes to Arvind A (Year 11) for assisting the Society Office with superb photography.

Click here to view some of the photos : House Music Competition 2019 Photographs

Videography credit to Mr D Singh.

If you would like to purchase the full House Music DVD for £10, please click here to complete the form: House Music Competition DVD Purchase Form